A Yum Yum about an hour before a swim is like rocket fuel!

[You don’t have the take the wheel arch lining off. You put the steering on full lock, undo a couple of lining screws and slip your hand in. Granted, it’s not as easy as opening the bonnet but it’s no more than 20mins.

Also, you’ll be hard pressed to find a modern car where access in the engine bay to headlights is easy.]

To be fair he isn’t the best with a spanner and did say that some of the screws were just spinning/not undoing. It did take him an hour though. As I said, no real point to the anecdote.

I recently bought an 07 Passat TFSI with 100k – so far its been excellent. At the same time a good friend bought a Mazda 6, with slightly slightly fewer miles for slightly less cash. Nothing wrong with it, except that the front headlight bulb needed replacing, for which he had to take the wheel arch lining off. Changing a bulb shouldn’t take the best part of an hour. I haven’t had to replace any bulbs on the Passat yet, but all of my previous German cars have been very well thought out. Not a lot of point to this anecdote really. that is all. Carry on.

The BX2’s are lovely – I have them in a similar sized room – they could clearly fill a much larger space, but I wouldn’t say that they are too big for the volume either.

There is another way – provided you have a spare fully charged battery and jump leads….

Mine killed a battery in 4 weeks….have you figured out how to get into the front boot yet?! Wonderful piece of German reverse engineering there!

So far Brockmans is the best gin i’ve ever sampled. Would like a try of the ‘Professor Cornelius Ampleforths Bathtub Gin’ though!

I’ve just been given a pair of Barbour slippers. They are very comfy.

Jag X-Type estate – its sort of ‘retro’, and would be big enough for the dogs, also available as 4×4, so good for country/dog walks/winter etc. Too big for the wife….Alfa 159’s have certain style to them – i’m not sure you’d call it retro though.

Mindmap – It was more that the Passat looks exactly the same as any other Passat. It is the sport spec, so is lowered by 15mm and has ‘sports seats’ – but coming from a Porsche they are like sofas! The only give away is the badge on the back, which I really like. The VRS has quite a few VRS badges, and sporty touches – it looks like VRS, and anyone that knows cars will instantly pick up on that. I’m not doubting that they are cracking cars, I just fancied something that was much more subtle – again, no criticism of the Octy.

DBW – yes you can, I just couldn’t justify the economy to myself, yet alone the wife! Does sound wonderful though – brilliant engine!

PMJ – The Octavia was on the short list, but for me the VRS’s just shout about being VRS a bit too much. Cracking cars though, I’m sure.

“it has to be reasonably small because she’s relatively new to driving and big cars scare her” and “I’m not sure it’s (Clubman) big enough for a Boxer dog and two Boston Terriers” – How much bigger than a clubman can you go before its too big? Is the van a certain need? Would changing that for an estate make more sense? Sorry – just don’t know your circumstances.

I’ve just been through this – ended up buying a Passat 2.0T FSI – proper Q car! I was very tempted by the Subraru Legacy Spec B, but the wife hated it.

John Lewis.

+ 1 for Osprey, great packs, and great customer service.

As Craigxxl – Are you sure it’s not coming through the tiles/grout? I’ve experienced this before – caused by a small crack (shrinkage) in the grout, the substrate getting wet and the tiles delaminating from the adhesive – was an absolute b#gg#r to track down.

Brilliant bike – I love mine! I upgraded the pedals, fitted rack and guards, and thats it – happily put about 1000 miles on now, and love every minute.

b r – I’ve lived in plenty and restored plenty in my professional work. Whilst you’re right – stone is never going to achieve the same results as a modern build, it often performs much better than expected – especially if there is a rubble infill, which is often made up of lots of air, which breaks the direct heat loss path. Regardless, I would not advocate buying a Listed property with the expectation that you will be able to insulate through-out. If the OP is seriously considering insulating, read the listing documentation to see what is and isn’t covered, then speak with the local conservation officer, they may be receptive to the idea, but I doubt it.

As Fionap – I wouldn’t worry about insulating the stonework, it will have a huge thermal mass which will iron out the daily ups and downs – get it warm, and keep it warm through the winter. It will also be great at keeping you cool through the summer. I certainly wouldn’t internally insulate it – this will mean that the thermal mass is continually cold in winter, and through the summer your rooms will be hot and stuffy. I’d leave the walls alone, just make sure that nothing impervious has been applied to them. It might be worth considering having the windows refurbished and draught proofed – Ventrolla are very good. Ensure that the roof is well insulated, and that the heating system is good.

Beech provides really good cover, and has all year round interest. In the winter the copper brown leaves are largely retained. Alternatively, Hornbeam is similarly nice. If you go with bamboo – be careful, its very invasive. I’m allergic to it, so am biased, but its hateful stuff!

Edit – ps – good work on getting shot of the Leylandii!

The Savings Bank Museum was surprisingly small and interesting!
http://www.savingsbanksmuseum.co.uk/

Shoes – Russell and Bromely
Suits/jackets etc – Debenhams have some really nice designers at the moment

As above, i’d put in a planning app. At the moment you have a projecting box window, you want to alter this so that it is a traditional bay window, which could increase the floor area of your home. If you follow the regulations this is an extension, and therefore could require planning permission.

Locating a secondhand replacement bonnet already in white might be the most time/cost effective way of repairing that

doh – beaten to it!

I have nothing helpful to add, other than to say that this looks brilliant! Carry on!

Fair enough – sounds like you must be over doing it a bit then. Enjoy a relaxing day on the sun lounger with a beer!

I swim pretty much every lunchtime – there is a really decent municipal pool less than 5 mins walk from my office. I find its a really good way to relax during the working day, and get some exercise in. I mix up my regimes, so one day will be working on distance, and the next technique, or intervals. Achy shoulders – is one worse than the other? Are you breathing bilaterally? Are you keeping high elbows throughout the stroke? It might be worth looking for some technique tips?

Do you own the land below the patio? If so, so clever planting on this could help slow the wind down. A solid barrier, unless high is unlikely to help much.

I’ve only ever had the one, but it had climbed all the way up my leg and attached itself right next to my left testicle. A very delicate removal operation followed using a cigar lighter and some tweezers. Thankfully no sign of a rash. Don’t much like ticks!

Be aware that some seals can affect the slip resistance. Also note that the pits and troughs, depending on depth, will be a nightmare to keep clean.

Can’t wait to get out on my new CdF 10, followed by a bit of fetteling in the garden with a beer. Happy happy times indeed!

Based almost entirely on this thread I have just gone out and bought a CdF 10, just got it back to the office. The sun is shining, and there’s only an hour and a half to go til I can ride it home along the river! Can’t wait!

Another recommendation for Soanes in Colyton (haven’t actually been there for about 15 years, but they were always ace back in the day….)

How about seagrass – super hardwearing and looks a lot better imo.

Luggage space in a mid-engine sports car doesn’t have to be terrible – the Boxster is surprisingly ‘practical’ (for a 2 seater).

As above, you need a specialist arboriculturalist report which has been commissioned by your parents, which will make the necessary recommendations. If the council still disagree request a meeting on site between thier tree officer and your specialist.

Have you got both spring locator pins in the same lug hole on the bike frame?

I’ve recently bought the Talon 22 for commuting purposes, as well as general day bag for riding and walking. I can’t recommend it highly enough – a very well designed piece of kit. I’d be surprised if it doesn’t fit all of the kit you list, but to be sure go and check it out – they stock it in Blacks.

How did you get on with the 325Ci? The Touring isn’t really and bigger……

Had very similar with my Boxster 986 recently…..If you get locked out you can connect up the donor battery to the fuse box and drivers strike plate to gain entry to the front boot, took me awhile to figure that one out! Don’t forget to get the security code for your Cupra’s stereo – I forgot….Can’t see why you can’t use the Cupra’s battery in the Boxster, but why not take the Boxsters battery in the Cupra?